The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) released a statement on Friday emphasizing diversity and inclusion while declaring the union "will not be used as political pawns." The statement read: "We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women's sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns."

Though not mentioned by name, the statement came 17 days after Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments about transgender athletes in women's sports were published on ESPN.com. Cunningham said, "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that.' I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

Cunningham's remarks quickly became political fodder. The Department of Education posted a meme of Cunningham on X, President Donald Trump spoke on the issue, and Vice President J.D. Vance encouraged her to "keep speaking her mind." In contrast, multiple WNBA players and coaches have voiced support for transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Golden State's Gabby Williams. Williams told reporters, "I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team."

The WNBPA also urged fans to "support the players" and "notify security if you witness hateful, violent, or abusive behavior" at games, report abusive posts online, and "tell your elected officials to strengthen Title IX."